Buntingford Town 4 Standon & Puckeridge 2 DESPITE a rusty performance from Town, they took all three points with a comfortable derby victory against struggling Standon. The game in general was scrappy with plenty of stoppages for fouls and pettiness and

Buntingford Town 4

Standon & Puckeridge 2

DESPITE a rusty performance from Town, they took all three points with a comfortable derby victory against struggling Standon.

The game in general was scrappy with plenty of stoppages for fouls and pettiness and not much entertaining football, but the home team generally worked hard for one another and were rewarded with some fine goals to give them confidence.

The signs of Town not having played for three weeks were certainly evident in the opening stages with the tempo of the game played at a slow pace with both teams giving up possession in frustrating positions.

It was the visitors who looked likely to open the scoring early on with a number of corners and set plays which were comfortably dealt with until the 18th minute when referee Moore saw a push in the Town penalty area from a delivered free kick and awarded a dubious penalty that left players from both teams quite baffled.

Brad Ratcliffe struck home the kick and another harsh decision against Town for obstruction moments later saw another delivered free kick that came back into play off the top of the right upright.

This spurred some life into Town who had been ineffective offensively up to that point.

A period of pressure saw Luke Robins down the left in particular with some pacey runs begin to cause problems and Town levelled the score on 32 minutes with their first clear opening of the game.

Lewis Endacott's delivered corner was headed back across goal at the far post and Mark Wright looped a header over the keeper from eight yards.

Just before half time an extended break of play saw referee Moore replaced by an assistant due to injury and the five minutes added time proved worthwhile for Town as they managed to nudge in front seconds before the interval.

Another free-kick was only half cleared and helped back into the box.

The ball found its way to Duncan Easley 10 yards from goal who cracked a superb angled volley into the far top left corner giving the keeper no chance.

The second half started much better for Town as they clearly upped the tempo and work rate with some good passing movements and the game was all but wrapped up in the opening twenty minutes of the half.

On 54 minutes Mark Smith sent a fine chip over the visiting defence and Will Turl advanced on goal and drilled a sweet angled 18 yard drive across the keeper and into the bottom left corner.

Ten minutes later another excellent Luke Robins' free kick was headed home from eight yards by Matt Turl.

The effects of not having played for a while did then start to take a toll on the home side with the heavy pitch producing some tired legs.

Despite fighting hard to gain possession the ball was given away to frequently when crossing half way and it severely hampered chances of creating good scoring chances.

The visiting side also struggled to create against Town's defensive unit until the 79th minute when a long ball into the box was headed across the face of goal and Bradley Brookes scored an easy unchallenged header from close range.

The remaining minutes fizzled out into a non event with Town seemingly grateful for the points.

Town: D Williamson, D Easley, D Chaffey, J Babbage, C Hardy, M Turl, M Smith, L Endacott, R Lawrence (W Turl), M Wright (L Beaumont), L Robins. Unused sub: M Roach

- Town return to action at Hertford Heath on Saturday (December 16).